It seems during this time of Covid-19, that most people have probably felt as if they were in the “between”. Webster’s Dictionary defines the word in several ways, but the one that makes sense to me is, “in the time, space, or interval that separates”. I don’t know about you, but I’ve felt a little separated from the world these past few years. Who knew it would last so long?
However, during that time, I was the recipient of the Emerging Artist in Painting Fellowship for 2021, awarded by the Delaware Division of of the Arts, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. What an exciting and affirming privilege for me! As a result, I was able to produce nine new works in 2021. The Fellowship provided me with the opportunity to show my work in three different venues.
In June, I had four of my paintings displayed at the Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover, Delaware. Photos of this exhibition can be found under the “Art Exhibits” tab on my website. As a result of that show, my painting “Tears On My Grandmother’s Braids” was chosen to be displayed at the CAMP Rehoboth Gallery in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware for the month of August (also under the same tab).
The culmination of my Fellowship was my solo exhibition, “In The Between” at the Mezzanine Gallery in the Carvel State Office Building in Wilmington, Delaware (see tab “Art Exhibits 2). I was so excited that even in these trying times, I had a great turnout for my show. According to Bruce Decker, the gallery coordinator, I had the best attendance at an opening in a long time. It felt so good to be supported by all the people who came out to see the exhibition.
At the end of November, we moved into our new, forever home, in Newark, DE. Since August of 2021, we have been under the gun to find a new place to live and decided to buy instead of renting this time. Kind of tired of moving. For any one who knows me, that is quite a feat, to be sure! Finding a place, making an offer, having the offer accepted, getting the new house in shape before we moved in, packing up our stuff, moving our collectibles, art and my studio ourselves, doing a local move which took 4 days to complete, unpacking, Christmas . . .well you get the drift. It was not a productive time at all. However, I am blessed to have a studio in my new home which suits me well. I have it set up finally except for having some of my larger works in the way until we can have them professionally hung in our home.
Now, the creative juices will have a chance to flow once more. Stay tuned for more updates.